Necessary Farewells

Before she left,
an angel came to me and said
Don't be dismayed:
good-byes are not an end,
but a beginning.
You do,
the angel asked,
hope to meet again,
do you not?
Of course, I sighed;
I'm not sure I can bear
a life that carries no promise
of the chance that I might once more
hold her in my arms.
Just so, the angel said,
and placed a finger to my lips.
Say it.
Just say it.
Let it out; let your farewells perfume the air
and guide her spirit onward;
they'll guarantee that you will meet again.


This poem was written for this week's Carry on Tuesday prompt, from author Richard Bach:
"Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again."


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